In the final round of the US Women’s Open on Sunday, Minjee Lee was busy chasing history and didn’t chase one of the best fields of women’s golf. Lee finished 13 under 271 with an even par 71, setting a scoring record for the US Women’s Open, led by three men entering the final round at the Pine Needles in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She defeated Mina Harigae with four and Hejin Choi with six. It wasn’t as close as it looked.
The USGA dialed up to a golf course with a green complex of defenses, with an average field score of over 75 (the first time this week it swelled above 74). It didn’t matter. Lee controlled the first two with birdies and never let go of the lead all day long. She ran it up to 15 under at some point after the tournament was virtually over and before making two bogies in the last three holes.
Lee scored more than 24 strokes on average in the field that week. This is rarely achieved in majors, but in most cases it is a tremendous number that guarantees victory. Play partner Harigae fought with Lydia Ko and Hejin Choi for a $ 1 million runner-up prize (the largest in women’s golf history) that has given Lee’s lead even greater fear than ever before.
Victory is Lee’s second in 2022 and second in her last three starts. A little less than a month ago, two Lexi Thompsons participated in the Cognizant Founders Cup at the age of 19. This is also her second major championship victory at her last four starts (which also won the Evian Championship last year) and her fourth consecutive Top 12 finish. If possible, the world’s fourth-largest golfer is still on an upward trajectory.
“I have no words. I can’t believe it now,” Lee told NBC. “It’s very, very special and very honorable. It’s been my dream since I was little. That’s what I’ve always wanted to win, and now I’ve done it. This feels great. “
Lee currently holds both a 54-hole US Women’s Open scoring record of 200 and a 72-hole record of 271. She became the seventh golfer in nine attempts To take a three-stroke (or more) lead into the final round of this tournament, which has held trophies since 2000.
Lee’s 271 was part of a memorable tournament by resetting the record book, surpassing the 272 shot by Annika Sorenstam (1996), Juli Inkster (1999) and Chun In-gee (2015).
The lowest 72-hole score at the US Women’s Open
| 2022 | Minjee Lee | 271 |
| 2015 | Chun In-gee | 272 |
| 1999 | Juli Inkster | 272 |
| 1996 | Annika Sorenstam | 272 |
Lee Seung-yuop’s record was not the only history made at this event. Amateur Ingrid Lindblad, a college golfer at LSU, scored the lowest amateur ever score at the United States Women’s Open (65). Set score records for 18, 36 and 54 holes For amateurs in this tournament and The second lowest 72-hole score in history.. She was a little back on Sunday at 76, but still finished T11 and was one of only 13 golfers of the week.
“”[I learned] “It’s possible to lower the score,” said Lindblood, who won second place at Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this year.
This year, the National Women’s Open won the event’s first-ever sponsorship, raised its wallet to $ 10 million, paid Lee a $ 1.8 million victory prize, and Harigae won a runner-up of just over $ 1 million. All numbers (total, 1st, 2nd) are the highest ever. I don’t know if it has affected the competition, but it’s certainly notable as the best tournaments in women’s golf are being pushed into the bigger modern spotlight.
Everywhere I saw the pine needles, the number was decreasing. The least stroke in the 77-year history of the event. Most of the money I’ve earned in women’s golf tournaments. And while homestretching wasn’t exactly a thrill, Lee’s performance removed the drama (and doubt) from the festival-what was this US Women’s Open, and what when people talked about it. I always remember what it looks like 20 years from now: Historical.
